The Stereo Compress (equal stress on the COM and the PRESS) further rounds out the line of red processors with a supreme quality stereo VCA compressor providing the proverbial sonic glue or adding a healthy dose of smash to your sounds. Happy gently coaxing the stereo bus or punching individual instruments into shape, the circuitry springs from a classic of British compression but entirely rebuilds the internals while combining several new twists, and is presented in a package that demands deep discovery within the realms of transient shaping.
The Stereo Compress is best considered in two parts – see block diagrams:
Audio Section –
The audio path is kept minimal with high quality components for low noise operation. The left and right channels are identical, each featuring Balanced Input Buffer, Compression VCA (2164 quad IC), Dry/Wet Blend VCAs (equal power crossfading for parallel compression) and Output Buffer. The unit can be used as a single mono compressor (use either left or right side) or ganged stereo, with the side-chain feeds being tapped post input buffer.
SideChain –
The SideChain signal is taken initially as an equal sum of left & right inputs, but this sum can either be externally processed using Send/Return loop, or a different signal can be inserted. The Insert point is followed by Low and High Cut filters (12dB/Oct) allowing frequency dependent compression.
The SideChain processing is arranged around a Feedback VCA stage and contains rectification, ratio setting (2:1, 4:1, 10:1), fully variable Attack and Release time constants, and wide range Threshold and Make Up Gain controls. A Gain Reduction meter shows how hard the unit is being driven and features internal LED indication to show when the unit is Active (low red glow for bypass, brighter white glow for active).
Specifications –
Inputs – Electronically balanced 1/4″ TRS – input Impedance 20k
Outputs – Impedance balanced 1/4″ TRS – output Impedance 100r
Sleeve selectable chassis or signal 0V via jumper (chassis as standard)
SideChain –
Tip – Return – 10k Input Imp
Ring – Send – 100r Output Imp
Sleeve – Signal 0V
Low Cut Filter – 12dB/Oct – 20Hz to 3kHz
High Cut Filter – 12dB/Oct – 250Hz to 20kHz
Attack – 0.05 to 50 m/Sec
Release – 50 ms to 1.2Sec
Ratio 2:1, 4:1, 10:1
Threshold +15dBU to -50dBU
Makeup Gain 0 to +30 dBU
Meter shows approx 0 to 14dB Reduction
Freq response – 20-20kHz within 0.5dB
Power – 12V DC 500mA supply, centre-positive, 2.1mm connector.
(worldwide 90-240VAC wall-wart provided with interchangeable mains plug adaptors)
The Stereo Compress is enclosed in a custom aluminium case (based on the Modular line) with PCB material front and side panels. Dimensions approx 5.25″ x 7.5″ x 3.5″
Two year parts warranty.
